5 common mistakes writers make that can lead to burnout
Guess who’s had this fun little planner for months but hasn’t started using it? You guessed it — yours truly. What can I say? I’m a Google calendar and Post-Its kinda gal. I guess it’s time I accept that.
As writers who are also usually balancing lots of other things — a day job, family commitments, freelance work, volunteering, self-care — burnout can creep up on us and make life feel rather miserable at times. It can also become a barrier that keeps us from reaching our writing goals. Over time, that lack of progress is downright demoralizing.
Much to the dismay of that impatient inner child who thinks I should have published 10 best-selling novels by now (and be living in a castle with a library that has one of those rolling ladders), I've learned writing and publishing is a long game. Like, a really long game.
Along the way, I've worked on tuning into my warning signals to avoid getting too far down the road to burnout. I'm not perfect at avoiding it, but I've discovered some potential pitfalls that suck away my creativity, productivity, and joy faster than a toddler can mess up a freshly cleaned room. Can you relate to any of these?
Setting Unrealistic Goals: Trying to write too much in a short period or expecting perfection from every draft.
Neglecting Self-Care: Overworking without giving yourself time to rest or recharge.
Lack of Routine or Consistency: Writing sporadically, which can lead to frustration or losing momentum.
Isolation: Working alone without feedback or connection to a writing community.
Ignoring Personal Boundaries: Saying "yes" to too many projects or responsibilities and losing control of your time.
Fortunately, a little self-awareness goes a long way. Once we know to watch out for these pitfalls, we can be more intentional with our schedule and mindset to support our creative flow — and have more satisfying writing sessions and outcomes as a result. Here are some strategies I’ve been using:
Set manageable, specific goals and focus on progress rather than perfection. I tend to have a goal of writing one scene at a time — or half of a scene if it’s a long one. But sometimes I’ll just write a sentence or two in my notes app on my phone if something inspires me while I’m out and about. I can draw on these snippets later to add depth to my work in progress. I’ve also taken a three-day solo trip to the woods to do some deep thought work and write a big chunk at one time. What type of rhythm works best for your life right now and keeps you moving forward in a sustainable way?
Schedule regular breaks, practice mindfulness, and prioritize physical activity. A 45-minute walk around the neighborhood with my husband always does wonders to clear my head and help me shake off some of the day’s tension. Do I sometimes talk his ear off about my latest writing project while we walk? Yes. Does he nod and play along? Also yes. Bless his heart.
Establish a writing routine that fits your schedule. Some people like to set consistent days and times. I set blocks on my schedule, but honestly those serve more as reminders than actual time slots I use to write. I’ll admit I’m not consistent, but I do have an accountability partner I meet with every few weeks, and at the end of each session we each establish goals of what we want to accomplish by our next meetup. Which brings me to…
Engage with fellow writers, join a critique group, or find an accountability partner. This can provide motivation, fresh ideas, and emotional support during tough times. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I would have given up on writing long ago if not for my dear writer friends.
Learn to say "no" when necessary. Oof, this is a lesson I’m constantly learning and relearning. I get so excited when a fun project, collaboration, or idea comes my way, and it’s hard not to pursue it. (My brain: 'Ooh, shiny new project!' My schedule and energy levels: *hysterical laughter*). I’m still working on figuring out ways to protect my writing time and energy by setting clear boundaries, including limiting distractions or unnecessary obligations. I’m a work in progress, just like my novel.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and what strategies you use to help you juggle all the things. You can email me at aleisha at connectiontowellness dot com. If you’re struggling to figure it all out and strike a balance, I’d love to partner with you as your coach. We can chat in a free strategy session and see if further coaching might be right for you and your goals. You can schedule it here.